Denny's restaurant on Reidville Road gets a facelift

Craig Herman knows the terms “diner” and “upscale” don't usually go hand-in-hand.But the former Denny's Corp. executive turned franchisee hopes local residents will get a taste of something extraordinary when they set foot in his restaurant at 2306 Reidville Road.The 22-year-old dining establishment is sporting a new look that blends modern convenience and posh décor with Spartanburg's past. It's the result of an extensive renovation project that started on July 14 and was completed in six days.“Our customers are really excited about it,” said Herman, who owns 10 restaurants in South Carolina. “They're not only coming in to check it out, but they're coming back because they like it … You'll see them looking around, studying all of the changes. It's pretty cool.”The exterior of the restaurant has been painted. The building is surrounded by new landscaping.Upon entering the store, customers will notice an expanded waiting area separated from the dining room by an artistic stainless steel wall emblazoned with artistic Denny's logos.A new cash register/check-in booth backed by a stacked stone wall has been added as well as a fun zone with games for kids.The restaurant's retro bar in front of the kitchen has been replaced with a hip marble bar, where patrons can eat their meals and watch the news on two large flat-screen TVs.Gone are the green carpets and dated furnishings.Much of the floor has been covered in wood grain tile and the walls have been painted in vibrant, earthy tones. New booths, tables and chairs have been added and the old lighting fixtures replaced with LEDs.

The façade wall of the restaurant's updated bathroom area is covered with wallpaper that features witty sayings about — what else? — diners.On a back wall leading to the store's private dining area, a large black and white photo wallpaper mural depicting downtown Spartanburg has been hung. Denny's headquarters tower is the focal point.Around the store, Herman has placed historic photographs of Spartanburg.The kitchen has received a Coke Freestyle machine and made one other beverage tweak that puts the restaurant on a plain with only a couple hundred others across the country.Herman's store is now serving beer and wine during its lunch and dinner hours. The offering includes handful of domestic beers and a selection of zinfandel, chardonnay and moscato wines.The owner said business at the restaurant has increased more than 15 percent since the project ended. Before the project began he was able to hire a handful of new employees.Herman will celebrate the restaurant's re-opening today with freebies and prizes. Starting a 9 a.m. the first 50 guests will get free Original Grand Slam breakfasts.The store will give away 25 free burger and fry meals at noon and 25 buy-one-get-one entrees at 6 p.m.Throughout the day, customers will have the chance to spin a prize wheel and win meal perks when they pay their checks.“It has been great,” Herman said. “There's a lot of excitement. Our guests deserve it.”